Examining the Chicago Blackhawks

The winds of change have been blowing through the Windy City. The Chicago Blackhawks are a team in transition, loaded with lots of highly skilled draft picks and prospects and ready to enjoy the fruits of a system rich in young talent. Led by 2007 No. 1 overall pick Patrick Kane and 2006 first-rounder Jonathan Toews, the Blackhawks appear to have a bright future.

But Chicago isn’t just a team laden with young pups. The Hawks also have a cadre of talented veterans like Martin Havlat and Nikolai Khabibulin to give the youngsters some guidance. Under head coach Denis Savard, the Blackhawks are poised for a spin-o-rama in the standings this season as this Original Six squad looks to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

The Blackhawks were at the bottom of the Central Division last season, but the combination of talented newcomers, key free-agent acquisitions such as center Robert Lang, better health for Havlat (57 points in 56 games last season) and the continued development of young players like Tuomo Ruutu, Brent Seabrook and Cam Barker should help the Hawks escape the depths of the division.